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Julian A. Leu

Fresh perspectives on the films, people and ideas that move us.

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The Brilliance of Alexander Payne's Filmmaking

26 January 2024

I really liked Alexander Payne, who pleasantly surprised me back in the early 2010s with " The Descendants ", and really impressed me with the outstanding " Nebraska " a few years later. However, " Downsizing " wasn't ex

7 Best Picture Contenders (2024)

11 January 2024

With the award season soon coming along, I think the time is right to take a look at some of the favourites for the biggest awards - the Best Picture and its equivalents. Sure, there will be some differences between the

Leave the World Behind (2023) (Review)

3 January 2024

I don't often pay much attention to the Top 10 Films on Netflix on any given day. Most of the time, they are far from being my cup of tea - either superhero flicks, comedies I find unfunny or cheesy romantic flicks that

6 Films Set During Blizzards

27 December 2023

Winter is a magical season, with its snow-covered landscapes and chilly air, but when a blizzard hits, it can transform the serene beauty into a relentless force of nature. With winter coming in full force in Europe thes

The Main Characteristics of British Cinema

19 December 2023

Continuing this series, I picked the rather impossible topic of dissecting one of the world's most popular geographic areas of filmmaking: Britain. British cinema, with its rich history and diverse storytelling, has made

The Fine Line of 3+ Hour Films

11 December 2023

Movies are definitely art. We get invested, immersed, and lost in the cinematic world, eagerly awaiting what comes next. However, there's a growing trend in the film industry that might be pushing our love for storytelli

3 Good and 3 Bad Characteristics of CGI in Films

18 November 2023

Films have the power to transport us to far-off worlds, let us witness jaw-dropping spectacles, and even bring fantastical creatures to life. And at the heart of this movie-making magic lies CGI, or Computer-Generated Im

The Main Characteristics of Eastern European Cinema

11 November 2023

I've already explored Scandinavian cinema and Irish cinema in previous posts, and I thought I might as well turn this into a series. So, if you're looking for something different, something that delves into the raw, the

7 Films with an Autumny Vibe

4 November 2023

Autumn, with its vibrant leaves and cool breezes, is a season that naturally evokes feelings of nostalgia, warmth, and change. While Halloween often takes center stage during this time of year, there's a lot more to appr

The Nun II (2023) (Review)

28 October 2023

I feel like I should review a horror film that I've seen at the cinema in the month of October. Disappointingly, though, the offer was extremely limited. I had not heard very good things about the latest Exorcist movie,

The Main Characteristics of Irish Cinema

7 October 2023

When you think of Irish culture, leprechauns, shamrocks, and Guinness might come to mind. But there's so much more to Ireland than these iconic symbols. Irish cinema, in particular, has a unique charm and identity that's

7 Great Films About AI

29 September 2023

AI (Artificial Intelligence) has been a hot topic in both the tech world and pop culture for quite some time now. From robots with human-like emotions to supercomputers that can predict the future, AI has captured our im

5 Mediocre Films that Won Best Picture

21 September 2023

Let's face it, not every film that takes home the coveted Best Picture Oscar deserves the honor. While the Academy Awards have certainly recognized some cinematic masterpieces over the years, there have been a few head-s

The Rise and Fall of Found Footage Films

13 September 2023

Picture this: You're holding a shaky camera in your sweaty palms, your heart racing as you navigate the dark, unknown territory. The screen flickers with each step, capturing your fear and anticipation. This is the world

6 Main Characteristics of Scandinavian Cinema

6 September 2023

When it comes to cinematic storytelling, the Scandinavian film industry has carved its own niche with distinct characteristics that set it apart from the Hollywood glitz and Bollywood drama. And I have, especially recent

Ranking Wes Anderson's Films

30 August 2023

With his trademark aesthetic, unique characters, and captivating storytelling, Wes Anderson has created a cinematic universe that's impossible to ignore. From deep character studies of the people that populate the worlds

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) (Review)

23 August 2023

Ironically, I've been looking forward to the new - and final - Indiana Jones for many years now, but once it hit the cinemas I didn't rush in to watch it. It was a combination of being busy, travelling and trying to avoi

3 Bright Spots in Uwe Boll's Career

9 August 2023

Uwe Boll, a name that often sparks strong reactions among movie enthusiasts. Some hail him as an innovative director with a unique vision, while others dismiss his work as nothing more than subpar filmmaking. Known for h

9 Great French Films of the Last 15 Years

2 August 2023

French cinema has a rich and diverse history, renowned for its artistry, emotional depth, and storytelling prowess. And while many examples of French classics can be found throughout history, I wanted to specifically foc

3D Films: The Pros and the Cons

26 July 2023

I vividly remember talking about ' Avatar ' with some random people back in 2010, while waiting to go into an exam. They were praising it to no end, and argued that from then on, nobody would watch 2D films anymore. Such

8 Films and Series About Pirates

10 July 2023

Pirates have always captivated our imaginations with their swashbuckling adventures, hidden treasures, and rebellious spirit on the high seas. From the Golden Age of piracy to the present day, these maritime outlaws cont

What Kind of Films Work Best for Summer?

3 July 2023

Ah, summer! The season of warmth, sunshine, and endless possibilities. As the temperatures rise and the days grow longer, there's no better time to relax, unwind, and enjoy some quality movie time. Unless of course, it's

Interview with APRIL 2023 winner: Zhaoshuai Wu

27 June 2023

I know I say this pretty much every month, but it was very difficult to choose a winner for April's film of the month. We had a story about an old man faced with a terrible loss, a haunting experience that vividly depict